Worcester Goalkeeper Academy

Worcester Goalkeeper Academy

“The Academy’s goal is to develop Goalkeepers and Goalkeeping standards through specialist Goalkeeper coaching that is committed to the continual improvement of Goalkeeper specific skills and abilities, using our large pool of qualified coaches, resources, knowledge and experience”.

The Worcester Goalkeeper Academy was formed over 3 years ago as it was identified that even though the county had many Football Clubs and Football Coaching Centres training young footballers the skills and techniques of football, there was very little coaching offerings for Goalkeepers.

Since it first opened it’s doors, it has grown and developed. Growing in numbers of not only Goalkeepers but also Goalkeeper Coaches, as the Academy is now recognised as a Centre for the development of Goalkeepers and Goalkeeper Coaches.

It now coaches all ages of Goalkeepers, and not just the younger Goalkeepers, as they have also had senior team players attend the Academy looking to get some extra coaching as they either look to develop themselves further or assist them with breaking into the first team as the number 1 Goalkeeper.

Goalkeepers participate in weekly goalkeeper specific fitness sessions; lots of technique coaching through drills and keeper games and will also have opportunities to discuss and analyse their own performances for improvement. Coaching sessions may not always focus on specific Goalkeeper skills but will be designed to enable opportunities for development of the fundamental skills (following the FA ‘Four-Corner Model’):

Technical, including Movement, Agility, Balance and Control;

Physical and Fitness;

Psychological and Confidence; and

Social.

Coaching Staff

With Goalkeeper numbers increasing it is fortunate that the Academy also attracts increasing numbers of coaching staff. Compared to other Coaching Centres, the Academy has a good ratio of Coaches to Goalkeepers, which allows the Goalkeepers to obtain much more focused Goalkeeper Coaching, assisting further in their increased development.

Of these coaches there is a mixture of coaches from grassroots coaches, former Academy players, to coaches from Senior Football Clubs (including Premiership, Championship and International level experience). With such a good mixture of coaches, means that there is experience of working with beginners through to the elite keepers, meaning that coaching can be tailored to suit and assist with each level of development. In addition, as stated previously, with such senior levels of experience means that the Centre can not only develop Goalkeepers but the coaches too, increasing coaching quality.